The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) condemns the attacks, insults and obstruction faced by journalists reporting from the Pride Caravan events in Kraljevo and Zaječar. IJAS calls on the competent institutions to identify everyone involved in the incidents, establish all the circumstances surrounding them and take appropriate legal action.
While the Pride Caravan was taking place in Trg srpskih ratnika square in Kraljevo, a group of men protesting against the event gathered on the other side of the police cordon. They threw stones and eggs at those assembled, who included activists and members of the LGBT+ community, as well as journalists reporting from the event.
Glas Šumadije journalist Jovana Ristić and Likvidno.info journalist Nenad Simović were interviewing Bojan Lazić, a representative of the association Da se zna, when the assembled groups began throwing stones towards them. Glas Šumadije published a video showing the moment the attack began. Ristić told IJAS that three groups of men began throwing stones almost simultaneously and in a coordinated manner. One stone grazed her ear, but she was not injured. The men also threw eggs at those gathered, hitting both Ristić and Simović.
A video posted by Kompas on Instagram shows men throwing stones at those gathered while police officers forming the cordon stand by without intervening. According to Glas Šumadije, shortly after the incident, the police ended the gathering and transported the Pride Caravan participants away from the square.
The Pride Caravan was also held yesterday in Zaječar, where, according to Glas Zaječara, opponents of the event shouted insults at participants and media representatives. They chanted offensive messages targeting Glas Zaječara journalists Đorđe Đorđević and Miljko Stojanović. They then approached the media crews and demanded that they stop filming. Meanwhile, the police stood by without intervening, even when the journalists asked for protection.
IJAS stresses that the police have a duty to ensure that journalists and media workers reporting from public gatherings can work safely and without obstruction, as well as to enable duly notified gatherings to take place peacefully and without disruption.
The lack of a timely police response while dangerous objects were being thrown at those gathered, including journalists, is particularly concerning. The competent authorities must also investigate the conduct of the police officers during the incident and determine why the attack was not immediately prevented.
Journalists’ job is to report on matters of public interest without fear of being subjected to insults or physical attacks for doing so. Every attack on journalists not only endangers their safety but also constitutes an attempt to deny the public timely and comprehensive information. Failure by the competent institutions to respond can only further embolden perpetrators and lead to new and even more serious incidents.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, 12 August 2026
